Airline Biz Blog

Southwest Airlines CFO Laura Wright to retire

Laura Wright, who replaced Gary Kelly as chief financial officer in 2004 when Kelly took over as chief executive officer at Southwest Airlines, plans to retire as of Sept. 20, the company said Thursday.

Wright. a 22-year Southwest employee, will be succeeded as CFO and senior vice president of finance by Tammy Romo, currently Southwest’s senior vice president of planning.

“We have an able successor already in place with Tammy, and an amazing finance leadership team that won’t miss a beat,” Wright said in the announcement. “I have a long list of things I’m anxious to tend to, including more time with family. With Gary’s leadership and the strategies in place, I leave with confidence regarding the bright future of this great company.”

“Laura has played a key role in the strong financial positioning of Southwest Airlines during the most challenging and difficult times our industry has ever faced,” said Kelly, Southwest’s CEO, chairman and president. “She has been a leader who is respected throughout our company, our industry and the financial community.”

He added: “Although I will personally miss Laura, I am respectful and understanding of her decision. I am also exceedingly pleased that Southwest has the demonstrated depth of management talent and leadership capability that will enable our shareholders, employees and customers to continue to be proud to be a part of the ongoing Southwest Airlines story of success.”

The airline said Wright will remain with Southwest through the end of the year to help with the transition. Of Romo, Kelly said, “We are fortunate to have a deep and knowledgeable leadership bench. Tammy is an excellent choice based on her strong accounting and technical background, outstanding strategic planning capabilities, and deep knowledge of our Company and overall corporate finance strategy.”

Here’s the summary of Romo’s background from the press release:

She joined Southwest in 1991 as Manager of Financial Reporting and has previously served as Director of Investor Relations, Vice President – Treasurer, Vice President – Controller, and Vice President of Financial Planning. Prior to joining Southwest, Romo was an audit manager at Coopers & Lybrand, LLP.